Today's big casting rumor isn't just unlikely and bizarre, it's coming from a specious source that has been taken down from the Internet entirely. In short, be very, very skeptical about what I'm about to tell you. According to an article at Tor.com dug up by io9 and based on an article no longer available online, "movie studio sources" say that Johnny Depp is in line to lead a movie version of Dr. Who, and that series writer Russell T. Davies will write it.

They even quote Davies:

"There will be brand new concepts and the film will be just as adventurous, scary and humorous as the television programme. But none of us working the film will forget what makes the character great and interesting and the long-time fans will not be disappointed because yes, the Daleks make an appearance."

It seems pretty much impossible to me that this is anything other than a rumor, especially when it mentions a set 2012 release date and Johnny Depp being attached, when Depp has a zillion other projects on his plate right now and will be playing Jack Sparrow for the foreseeable future. But you Dr. Who faithful may want to cling to this rumor anyway, so far be it from me to stop you.